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13,216 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Irving Peak

Irving Peak is a 13,216 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Irving Peak North Ridge: 29 mi, 8,650 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Irving Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Irving Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,216 ft4,028 m
  • RouteIrving Peak North RidgeClass 2
  • Distance29 mi8,650 ft gain
  • Time19 – 21 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Irving Peak North Ridge

Irving Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Irving Peak North Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 29.3 miles round-trip with roughly 8,650 ft of gain from about 11,800 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Watch for loose rock, route-finding on talus, and brief exposed steps where the terrain steepens. Stats and approach details follow climb13ers.com. Bring layers for cold wind on the summit ridge.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (55–75 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Irving Peak

Peaks near Irving Peak

  1. Mount Oso

    Mount Oso

    13,689 ft · 1.2 mi away

  2. UN 13,350 (near Irving Peak)

    UN 13,350 (near Irving Peak)

    13,350 ft · 2.0 mi away

  3. Weminuche Peak

    Weminuche Peak

    13,240 ft · 2.9 mi away

  4. UN 13164

    UN 13164

    13,164 ft · 3.5 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Irving Peak?

Irving Peak is 13,216 feet (4,028 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Irving Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,216 feet, Irving Peak is the 421st highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Irving Peak?

The Irving Peak North Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 29 miles with 8,650 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Irving Peak?

Most people take 19 – 21 hours round trip on the Irving Peak North Ridge, covering 29 miles with 8,650 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Irving Peak?

The Irving Peak North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 29 miles with 8,650 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Will you get altitude sickness on Irving Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Irving Peak reaches 13,216 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

What time should you start hiking Irving Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 19 – 21 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Irving Peak?

The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Irving Peak with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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